The Flames took part in their final practice of the pre-season before boarding a plane back to Edmonton to face the Edmonton Oilers in the season opener Thursday night.

The team spent a lot of time working on their power play and penalty kill. Five on four, five on three and four on four situations.

The roster is looking quite sharp as we currently sit with eight defence, 17 forwards and two goalies. The three most notable players who are still on the roster are d-man T.J Brodie and forwards Mikael Backlund and Stefan Meyer.

Brodie came to camp ready to give everything he had yet still expected to be in Abbotsford by this point. He has not only surprised the coaches, fans and media but himself as well.

"Coming in I expected to be in Abbotsford this year working on my defensive side of the game and trying to get stronger," said Brodie. "So to still be here is a great feeling and it's pretty overwhelming too.

Whatever happens, happens. I came out and did what I wanted to do and wheather I get sent down or kept up, I still have to work on my game and try to get better."

Brent Sutter obviously likes what he sees in Brodie. He recognises Brodie's talent and potential to become a good defenceman in the NHL. He believes he has earned the right and deserves to play.

"Since day one of camp, Brodie has played really well," said Sutter. "He deserves to have the opportunity to start with the big team here and see how he goes. He's deserved it and warranted it and it's exciting to see a young kid like that play as well as he has."

MEYER

Stefan Meyer has been bumped around in the past couple seasons playing most of his time in the AHL with Rochester. He was picked up by the Flames this summer and signed a two-year contract. Meyer has shown he is able to perform at this level and deserves a closer look as we move forward into the regular season.

"Stefan is a guy who brings us speed," said Sutter. "He's hard on the fore-check. He's someone that finishes his checks. He plays with emotion and intensity and you need that on your team but what I like most about him is his speed game. He's a guy that can really skate and you want to have that on your team."

"My main focus has been one day at a time and do the little things right," said Meyer. "Just show them that I am accountable on and off the ice."

BACKLUND

Backlund isn't a complete stranger to playing at this level as he dressed in 23 games for the Flames last season. He has proven he has what it takes to play in this league and is capable of stepping up his game and filling the void where needed. The question is, now that he is on the roster will he stay on the roster when our injured centermen return? Time will tell.

"I just have to go out and do my job and find chemistry with the guys I'm playing with," Backlund said of playing on the third line. "I think that will be a good line with a lot of speed so I think we'll be good."

"Backlund has had his moments where he has played really well this year," said Sutter. "Through camp maybe not as well (as other rookies) but obviously he's going to have an opportunity to start as one of our top three centermen."

PARDY READY TO PLAY

Adam Pardy, who was hit hard into the boards and got an elbow to the eye will be back in the lineup Thursday night against the Oilers. Pardy left the game immediately with a big cut along the inside of his left eye.

"It was a bit of a scary moment there," said Pardy of his eye injury. "Even at night I woke up the next morning and couldn't get my eye open. I was a little worried there but fortunately it's just a scratched cornea which sounds pretty bad but they heal pretty quickly and I'm good to go now."